For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak.

Although I was and am great at working for and with others, there’s nothing quite as satisfying for me as building and growing my own projects, creations, and now, business.

My curiosity and intense desire to learn have always driven me.

cute dog cuddles with book highly sensitive person

That feeling of excitement when opening a new book, full of endless potential and a wealth of possibilities, knowledge, and concepts to explore, is unparalleled - do you agree?

But, sometimes, bridging the gap between learning and practical application can be challenging.

These 7 books helped me bridge that gap.

Instead of staying stuck in learning mode, they helped me actually apply the lessons and valuable insights to my life to make tangible progress toward my dreams.

These books were priceless in facilitating the transition from daydreaming to successful entrepreneurship.

They made the biggest impact on my ability to show up online without fear, even as a sensitive person with most likely an above-average level of rejection sensitivity.

I’ve separated these books into 3 categories:

Confidence and Mindset
Business and Entrepreneurship
Money and Wealth Creation

These books made all the difference between having a dream and creating the dream for myself.

I hope these books can be just as impactful and valuable to you as they’ve been to me.

Confidence and Mindset

The Big Leap Gay Hendricks

This is a tough one to fully explain, but I would describe it as a great look into why negative thoughts and feelings start to surface during periods of contentment or positive moments - why negativity comes up just when we start to get everything together. This is a must for anyone who finds themselves caught in self-sabotage or negativity spirals and helps you level up in life.

“Each of us has an inner thermostat setting that determines how much love, success, and creativity we allow ourselves to enjoy. When we exceed our inner thermostat setting, we will often do something to sabotage ourselves, causing us to drop back into the old, familiar zone where we feel secure.”

— Gay Hendricks

Divergent Mind Jenara Nerenberg

Other than The Highly Sensitive Person, this has been the most impactful book for me as a sensitive +ADHD woman. It’s been greatly validating to my personal HSP experience and allowed me to clearly see the neutrality of my sensitive trait in light of both the strengths and weaknesses I possess.

“...neurodivergence does not make people inherently disabled, but they feel disabled because of the generally overstimulating environments of dominant neurotypical culture and settings.”

— Jenara Nerenberg

No Bad Parts Richard Schwartz

This isn't your typical self-help/mindset book. It’s really a comprehensive introduction to the IFS (internal family systems) psychological model and approach used by some therapists. This book can be a great companion to formal therapy and even (and maybe especially) if you don’t have a formal mental health diagnosis, this book can be incredibly helpful in acknowledging and appreciating the different parts of you. It can give great insights into why you might be “triggered” or don’t act how you want to or why you may feel internally divided, especially when trying to make important decisions or choices in your life.

“Our parts can sometimes be disruptive or harmful, but once they’re unburdened, they return to their essential goodness. When we learn to love all our parts, we can learn to love all people―and that will contribute to healing the world.”

— Dr. Richard Schwartz

Business and Entrepreneurship

Chill and Prosper Denise Duffield-Thomas

Part practical advice, part motivation, and all inspiration in how to structure your business for more income with less stress. Even if you think you’re not ________ enough to be successful.

$100M Offers Alex Hormozi

Learn business strategies that help you help more of the people you really want to (with your free or low cost resources) while also building and scaling an incredibly lucrative business. This book also comes with access to a free online course to take your understanding of the principles and practical application even deeper.

“People who help others (with zero expectation) experience higher levels of fulfillment, live longer, and make more money.”

— Alex Hormozi

Money and Wealth

I Will Teach You to be Rich Ramit Sethi

This book walks you through a 6-week action plan to systematically get your financial life together. I also just really vibe with Ramit’s mindset and mannerisms with money, which seems to boil down to: get clear on what’s important to you, spend or save the money you can for those important things, and pay a lot less (or nothing) for things that aren’t important to you.

“Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.”

— Ramit Sethi

Finish Rich Series David Bach

Exceedingly practical insights into how to really organize everything and manage your money to set yourself and your family up for future success and financial freedom.

“Values are the key to living smart and finishing rich. The sooner you and your partner start putting your values first—and stuff second—the sooner the two of you will start living a life that excites and empowers you both.”

— David Bach, Smart Couples Finish Rich

What’s currently on my book list:

I haven’t read this yet, so can’t personally comment on their effectiveness and/or entertainment levels. But if you’re curious like me and interested in hearing what I’m interested in, here they are:

Slow Productivity Cal Newport

I’ve used the term “Gentle Productivity” on this website before I even heard of this book. I’m thinking it’s pretty similar to my productivity philosophy and hope to find out some deeper insights into this way of working.

Your Money or Your Life Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez

Another finance book for this finance nerd to read!

Butter Safe than Sorry Tamar Myers

The next book in my favorite Pennsylvania Dutch hilariously punny mystery series that I haven’t read yet.

Hope some of these can be helpful and inspirational to you as well.

Although I’m much better now at taking action in my business, I’m still curious and always looking forward to learning more, so I’d love to hear what books you’ve enjoyed too.

Let me know if you read any of these and what other books made a big difference in your life!